Decreased expression of AMPA receptor messenger RNA and protein in AIDS: a model for HIV-associated neurotoxicity.

HIV infection can cause extensive neuronal loss and clinically a severe dementia. The cause of the neurotoxicity remains unclear as neurons are not infected, but disturbance of glutamate-linked calcium entry has been implicated. In this study, we have shown a decrease in HIV-infected brain of the expression of mRNA and protein of the GluR-A flop subtype of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) glutamate receptor in cerebellar Purkinje cells. Although Purkinje cells are relatively resistant to loss, the observed disturbance of AMPA receptors may contribute to the neurotoxic process in other vulnerable brain regions and clinically to the development of dementia.